Janice McNair
Janice McNair | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 30, 1936 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, sports franchise owner |
| Known for | Co-founder and former principal owner of the Houston Texans |
Janice Suber McNair (born September 30, 1936) served as the co-founder and former principal owner of the Houston Texans. She assumed ownership responsibilities following the passing of her husband, Bob McNair, in 2018 and maintained this role until she transferred control to her son, Cal McNair, in 2024.
Early life
McNair was born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and pursued her education at Columbia College, where she met Bob McNair, who would become her husband.
Career
Janice played a significant role in supporting her husband's enterprises, including involvement with Cogen Technologies, which was sold to Enron and CalPERS in 1999. Together with Bob, she co-established the Texans franchise that same year.
Following Bob McNair's death in 2018, Janice stepped into the position of principal owner and senior chairperson of the team. She entrusted day-to-day operational management to their son Cal, who holds the CEO position.
She is counted among a select group of ten women who own or co-own NFL teams, joining prominent figures such as Virginia Halas McCaskey of the Chicago Bears and Kim Pegula of the Buffalo Bills.
As of 2019, McNair's net worth was estimated to be approximately US$4 billion, making her the wealthiest female sports franchise owner in the United States.
In late 2023, a legal dispute emerged when her son Robert Cary McNair Jr. attempted to gain guardianship over her affairs. Both Janice and Cal opposed this action, resulting in the case being sealed and eventually dismissed in February 2024.
On March 26, 2024, Janice formally handed over majority ownership of the Texans to Cal McNair.
Philanthropy
In 1989, Janice and Bob McNair established the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation aimed at easing financial challenges for graduates from Rutherford County High School pursuing higher education. Since its founding, the foundation has distributed roughly $2.6 million in scholarships.
In August 2019, Janice made a $5 million contribution to Pro Vision Inc., a community development initiative located in Houston's Sunnyside area. This donation stands as the largest ever made by an NFL team owner.
During the COVID-19 crisis, she donated $1 million to Houston's Rent Relief fund to support tenants facing eviction due to financial hardship caused by the pandemic.